1. Hello all,

Social sites have a wealth of information that can be beneficial to our lives. The internet also presents a safe haven for predators seeking to prey on the unknowing. Internet predators are social creatures if only to the people they tend to violate.
I encourage parents and older adolescents to learn about the techniques predators use to meet, groom and violate the targets they go after. It is often easier for us as parents to look for resources after a loved one has been raped, molested, kidnapped or violated in some other way. Please be proactive in your diligent efforts to protect your family, friends and community from predators whose sole intention is to seek, steal and destroy!
We can be who or what we want to be on the social sites that allow us to describe who we are and what we are to others. Young people are being lied to constantly by predators saying what the child wants to hear in a time of crisis or a moment of depression. The predator then sets the stage for a better opportunity or a meeting to support and encourage, only to harm the child or young adult when they show their face.
Make no mistake, college students are being sought out as well as single women. Campus parties are potential hot beds of danger. A simple pill in a drink you turned your back on momentarily, a trip upstairs, a visit to the bathroom together, even an exchange of phone numbers or social media contacts can become dangerous situations.
So, if you need a Uber, Lyft, or go on a date, send your location and the other person’s contact information to your friends and family members. You should also make sure the driver or date knows you gave their info to people for your safety. Use Facebook live to post a video of the person you are with and try to get landmarks in the video. This allows for the authorities or your rescuers to locate you quickly!
Again, education is key to safety. Please use the links below to educate yourselves and lets eliminate RAPE!

Help Is Available…..

(click on the links below to navigate to each site)

National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUNAWAY

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): 1-800-THE-LOST

National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-3737-888

Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 or 1-800-4-A-CHILD

Hopeline – 1 800 SUICIDE

www.itsyourchoiceonline.com

www.TAALK.org

Community Forums/Blogs

www.eternitysunrise.org – online magazine and survivor blog

Media Resources

Comfortinthestorm

Making of a Girl

Facebook: Comfort In The Storm

Twitter: @comfortndstorm

Email…[email protected]

Phone…..562 270-4009

The holiday season in near. Use this time to prepare yourselves and your family and friends. What do I mean by prepare? Have a plan in place for different issues that may arise.

Have a plan in place for trips to the mall prior to leaving the house. Review the plan with everyone going to the mall before leaving or upon arrival at the mall. Everyone should know their role in an emergency, the meeting place in or near the mall, each others phone number, etc. Children should not be unattended, especially during the holidays! Malls are super crowded and that is exactly what predators are counting on. If you get separated, again know the meeting place. Children should have the numbers of  911, Police and emergency family contacts in case of separation or emergency. You should have a party plan of emergency as well. Well established rules for each under aged member of the family as well as some adults.

Many people struggle emotionally during the holidays for different reasons. This is a time for the rest of the support system to step up and give extra attention and love to these individuals. A supportive, non judgmental approach would be beneficial in their time of need. Send text messages and make phone calls if you can’t be there physically. Electronic greeting cards are an effective way to show someone that you care. Depression is real and the places it can take someone mentally and physically is real. We must do better at supporting those we consider in our sphere of caring and show them we care. If you suspect someone of contemplating suicide or you yourself are considering suicide PLEASE SEEK ASSISTANCE Now!

Please use todays struggles to be tomorrows rainbow of hope for someone else. Your life matters and time will prove it if you allow it to show you.

Resources

National Suicide Hotline number: 1-800-273-8255

SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

HealthyPlace.com

Suicide.org